Karnali Provincial Assembly winter session begins today

By Our Correspondent,Surkhet/Deukhuri, Jan. 20: The winter session of the Karnali Provincial Assembly officially begins today, Monday, January 20. The Provincial Assembly Secretariat has confirmed that all preparations for the session have been completed.

Following a recommendation from the Karnali Provincial Council of Ministers on January 3, the Provincial Chief was advised to convene the fifth meeting of the second term of the Provincial Assembly. Subsequently, the Provincial Chief's Office issued a notice on January 5, calling the assembly meeting to begin at 1 pm on January 20. As scheduled, the Provincial Assembly meeting will be held starting today.

Three bills have been registered with the Provincial Assembly Secretariat for consideration during this session. These bills include the Bill to Make  Arrangements Regarding Karnali Provincial Highways, the Karnali Provincial Civil Service (First Amendment) Bill, 2023, and the Bill to Make Arrangements Regarding Karnali Provincial Vehicles and Transportation, 2023.

Rajendra Poudel, Information Officer at the Secretariat, informed us that these three bills are officially registered, while various committees are discussing four other bills. These include the Bill to Make Arrangements for Electricity in Karnali Province (under the Finance and Natural Resources Committee), the Bill to Make Arrangements for the Karnali Province Police Service (under the Provincial Affairs Committee), the Bill to Empower the Dalit Community and Promote Living Standards (under the Social Development Committee), and the Bill to Amend the Karnali Province Sports Development Act, 2019.

Poudel also mentioned that, in addition to the three registered bills, other bills may be introduced as deemed necessary by the provincial government.

The fourth session of the Provincial Assembly had previously concluded on October 1.

Likewise, the third meeting of the fifth session of the Lumbini Provincial Assembly concluded on Sunday. During the special time allocated for discussions, members raised several current issues, urging the government to take concrete actions.

A major topic of discussion included the recent assault on a senior advocate in front of the court. Provincial Assembly member Chandrakesh Gupta condemned the incident, stating that it highlighted the deteriorating state of justice in the country. He called on the federal government to take strict action against those responsible.

Member Ramji Prasad Ghimire also expressed concern over the rising lawlessness in the country, noting that attacks on legal professionals under the guise of political parties have become a serious problem.

Provincial Assembly member Bhagwati Adhikari shared an example from her constituency, where teachers continue to work under fear. She emphasized the need for an effective policy to reform the education sector.

In addition, members raised concerns about the poor implementation of the Good Governance Act in the province. Member Neema Giri pointed out that good governance could not be realised during the monitoring of offices and called for a dedicated budget to implement the act. She also suggested that the pace of development plan execution should be accelerated.

Nawaraj Lamichhane demanded that the House be provided with clear information about the government's actions to control the Banganga River.

The meeting also included a detailed discussion on a bill aimed at establishing provisions regarding the province's financial procedures and financial accountability.

Speaker Tula Ram Gharti Magar read out the bills passed during the fifth session, which were later certified by the province chief.